Liquid metal containment in an x-ray tube

Abstract

Liquid metal containment in an x-ray tube. In one example embodiment, an x-ray tube anode assembly includes a stationary shaft terminated by a head and an anode connected to an anode hub. The anode hub is at least partially surrounding the head of the stationary shaft. The anode hub defines a hub opening through which the stationary shaft extends. The anode hub is configured to contain a volume of a liquid metal and to rotate around the stationary shaft. The anode hub also defines a catch space within the anode hub that is configured to catch the liquid metal in order to contain the liquid metal within the hub regardless of the orientation of the x-ray tube anode assembly.

1. An x-ray tube anode assembly comprising:
 a stationary shaft terminated by a head; 
 an anode connected to an anode hub, the anode hub at least partially surrounding the head of the stationary shaft, the anode hub defining a hub opening through which the stationary shaft extends, the anode hub configured to contain a volume of a liquid metal and to rotate around the stationary shaft, the anode hub also defining a catch space within the anode hub that is configured to catch the liquid metal in order to contain the liquid metal within the hub regardless of the orientation of the x-ray tube anode assembly. 
 
     
     
       2. The x-ray tube anode assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the head has a substantially trapezoidal, triangular, spherical, or rectangular cross section. 
     
     
       3. The x-ray tube anode assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the anode hub is at least partially defined by the anode and/or by a rotating shaft connected to the anode. 
     
     
       4. The x-ray tube anode assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the catch space is an annular catch space. 
     
     
       5. The x-ray tube anode assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the volume of the catch space is greater than or equal to the volume of the liquid metal. 
     
     
       6. The x-ray tube anode assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the catch space is proximate a path that has a substantially u-shaped, v-shaped, or circular-shaped cross section and that is defined between the anode hub and the stationary shaft, the path being configured to impede the liquid metal from escaping through the hub opening regardless of the orientation of the x-ray tube anode assembly. 
     
     
       7. A rotating anode x-ray tube, comprising:
 an evacuated enclosure; 
 a cathode at least partially positioned within the evacuated enclosure; and 
 the x-ray tube anode assembly as recited in  claim 1  at least partially positioned within the evacuated enclosure. 
 
     
     
       8. A rotating anode x-ray tube, comprising:
 an evacuated enclosure; 
 a cathode at least partially positioned within the evacuated enclosure; and 
 the x-ray tube anode assembly as recited in  claim 1  at least partially positioned within the evacuated enclosure. 
 
     
     
       9. An x-ray tube anode assembly comprising:
 a stationary shaft; 
 an anode hub at least partially surrounding the stationary shaft, the anode hub defining a hub opening through which the shaft extends, the anode hub configured to contain a volume of a liquid metal and to rotate around the stationary shaft; and 
 a diaphragm connected to the anode hub, the diaphragm configured to seal against the stationary shaft when the anode hub is at rest in order to impede the liquid metal from escaping through the hub opening regardless of the orientation of the x-ray tube anode assembly. 
 
     
     
       10. The x-ray tube anode assembly as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the liquid metal comprises liquid gallium. 
     
     
       11. The x-ray tube anode assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein at least a portion of the stationary shaft comprises molybdenum, titanium, and zirconium. 
     
     
       12. The x-ray tube anode assembly as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the anode hub comprises molybdenum, titanium, and zirconium. 
     
     
       13. The x-ray tube anode assembly as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the diaphragm is further configured to unseal from the stationary shaft when the anode hub is rotating in order to avoid contact with the stationary shaft while the anode hub is rotating. 
     
     
       14. The x-ray tube anode assembly as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the diaphragm comprises leaves surrounding an opening through which the stationary shaft extends, the leaves configured to seal against the stationary shaft when the anode hub is at rest and to unseal from the stationary shaft when the anode hub is rotating. 
     
     
       15. A rotating anode x-ray tube, comprising:
 an evacuated enclosure; 
 a cathode at least partially positioned within the evacuated enclosure; and 
 an anode assembly at least partially positioned within the evacuated enclosure, the anode assembly comprising:
 a volume of liquid metal; 
 a stationary shaft terminated by a head; and 
 an anode connected to an anode hub, the anode hub at least partially surrounding the head and containing the volume of liquid metal, the anode hub defining a hub opening through which the stationary shaft extends, the anode hub configured to rotate around the stationary shaft, the anode hub also defining a catch space within the anode hub that is configured to catch the liquid metal in order to impede the liquid metal from escaping through the hub opening regardless of the orientation of the x-ray tube anode assembly. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The rotating anode x-ray tube as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the volume of the catch space is greater than or equal to the volume of the liquid metal. 
     
     
       17. The rotating anode x-ray tube as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the catch space is proximate a path that has a substantially u-shaped, v-shaped, circular-shaped, serpentine-shaped, or zig-zag-shaped cross section, or some combination thereof, and that is defined between the anode hub and the stationary shaft, the path being configured to impede the liquid metal from escaping through the hub opening regardless of the orientation of the x-ray tube anode assembly. 
     
     
       18. The rotating anode x-ray tube as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising a diaphragm connected to the anode hub, the diaphragm comprising leaves surrounding the opening through which the stationary shaft extends, the leaves configured to seal against the stationary shaft when the anode hub is at rest in order to further impede the liquid metal from escaping through the hub opening regardless of the orientation of the x-ray tube anode assembly, the leaves configured to unseal from the stationary shaft when the anode hub is rotating. 
     
     
       19. The rotating anode x-ray tube as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the anode assembly further comprises bearings which enable the anode hub to rotate around the stationary shaft, the bearings comprising ball bearings, magnetic bearings, air bearings, fluid bearings, or some combination thereof. 
     
     
       20. The rotating anode x-ray tube as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the catch space includes an outer annular angled wall and an inner annular curved wall.